Multiple pole switch



May 1950 F. H. HESH MULTIPLE POLE SWITCH 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 24, 1947 i Elwin- May 9, 1950 s MULTIPLE POLE SWITCH 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 24, 1947 Patented May 9, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 10 Claims. (Cl. 200-41) The present invention relates to switches and more particularly to a multiple pole switch so constructed that any desired circuit controlled by the switch may be closed directly from the off or neutral position of the switch without moving the contactor of the switch through a progres'sion of contact-making positions to reach the contacts for closing the desired circuit.

Multiple pole switches of the rotary type are commonly used at the present time for controlling a plurality of circuits from one switch, such for example as the circuits in lamps having bulbs of diiferent wattage, each of which is hooked in a different circuit. It may be necessary to turn such a switch through several circuit-closing positions before the contacts controlling the circuit of the particular bulb or bulks which it is desired to light have been closed. This results in unnecessary wear on the contacts and the moving elements of the switch and also leads to confusion and annoyance in the use of the switch because the user is not always certain how far the switch must be turned to close the desired circuit. The same thing is true when multiple pole switches of this type are used on equipment other than lamps.

The switch of the present invention may be moved directly from a neutral position to a posi-" tion for closing any desired circuit in a multiple" circuit arrangement so that it is not necessary to move the contactor of the switch step by step until a position is reached where the desired cir-' cuit is closed. As a result, control of equipment: having a plurality of circuits may be simplified and wear on the switch is reduced to a mini- :4

mum.

Accordingly, a primary object of the invention is the provision of a new and improved multiple pole switch for controlling a plurality'of cir cuits in which the contactor of the switch may be moved directly from a neutral position to any one of a plurality of circuit closing positions for closing any one of a plurality of circuits.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a new and improved multiple pole switch which has a movable contactor, a push button or pivoted lever for moving the same to. variouscircuit closing positions and resilient means for" releasably holding the contactor in neutral post-- tion or in any one of the circuit closing positions,

which resilient means engages the contactor and forms part of the circuit when the switch is' moved to circuit closing position.

, A more specific objectof the inventionis theprovision of a new and improvedmultiple pole;

I switch which has a contactor movable by a push button connected thereto to various circuit closing positions and a plurality of resilient pins posi-' tioned normal tothe contactor when the latter is in its neutral position, the pins engaging the contactor and being deflected thereby during movement of the contactor from neutral to circuit closing positions and vice versa, 50 that the resistance of the pins to deflection tends to releasably hold the contactor in neutral or in any one of the circuit closing positions.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved multiple pole switch which is of extremely simple and inexpensive construction but which nevertheless is durable, foolproof, easy to operate, and wholly satisfactory in operation.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which;

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view of the switch of the present invention, with the contactor and contactor locking means shown in elevation;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2-2. of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the switch of the present invention taken on the plane of the line 3-3 of Fig. land with a phantom showing of x the contactor in one circuit closing position;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the contactor locking means; Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view of another embodiment of the switch of the present inven' .tion with the contactor and contactor locking:

the top cover removed and the ccntactor shown in full lines in neutral position and in phantom in one circuit closing position; and

' Fig. '7 is a sectional view of a further modification of the invention showing a switch with the top cover removed and with the contactor shown in full lines in neutral position and in phantom in a circuit closing position.

In Figs. 1 to 3, the switch'of the present in-';

vention is shown enclosed within a housing Hi comprising a generally cylindrical body I! -pro-" vided' with a top cover piece M. The body of the housing and the cover are preferably formedfrom an insulating plasticniaterial or Bakelite V and'the cover is provided with peripheral threads; so that it'may be-secured-ito the bodyby thread ing the same into the upper end of the body as indicated at it in Fig. 1 and thus it may be readily inserted and removed from position.

A four-pole switch has been shown for the purpose of illustration in Figs. 1 and 3, but it is to be understood that the principles of the invention may be applied to switches having a greater or fewer number of poles. The four poles shown in this switcheach. have a headwforming a, fixed. contact 58 on; onegendg from whichaa stem pro'-- jects to form a binding post 20. The posts 20 of the four contacts are inserted through openings. in the side wall of the body member H with the fixed contacts is projecting inwardly; of; the. housing, and they are secured in position means of nuts 22 threaded on posts z'tand'engaging the side wall of the housing;

This switch is connected into the different circuits which it is to control by connectingone terminal of one of the leads in each circuit to the bindingposts- Zili These terminals of thedifi'erent leads: are indicatedat 24in the drawing and they areshown engagedmver the-outer endsofithe binding posts-2B1" Theyare held in positionthereon by means-Of-nuts 32 which press the terminals intofirmengagement with thenuts 22 so that goodelectrica-l' contact is secured between'the fixedcontacts l8 and the terminals.

Disposed within the housing is'a movable ccn-tactorelement a 4 which may bestamped from sheet metal havinggoodelectrical properties:

The configuration of a contactor-- fora fourpole switch is -;shov. nin Fig; 3, but it--is to be understoodgthat theconfiguration willvaryin accordancewith-the number of poles-in-the switch". As shown in Fig;- 3', the periphery ofafour pole contactor has four biasedconvexlycurved" projections 36 equally spaced: from each other.

byconcave portions'ofthe periphery 38for a:

purposewhich will'be describediingreater detail ereinafter. V

A. entrally located .stem. it. projects upw r ly from the contactor 3A through, a slotted opening 4-2 i the cover, idiot. thejhousing, and a push button 44 is threaded or otherwise suitably secured ,on ;the .upper end lof.,this .stem, ,asshown in Eig. 1, in afpositionto bemanipulatedsolthat. the ,contactor may; be moved laterally. to various D O-I Sa Thenumber. of slotsinthe-slotted op ening .2iconforms;to:themumberr of poles in the switch. Thus the opening 42 in ,the-lcover ofr aafour -pole switchT will be ofcruciform. shape as shownin Fig 2f Thestemdi)- engagesin the slots of the opening 42 when -the=push butter 1,44 is i moved laterally; toany circuit. closing: position.-

In -order to -prevent 'rotationyof: the contactor:

34, the stem lii is squared throughout the portionof itslength-which extendswthrough the:- slotted opening lz -inthecoverlit-and through an metal guide plate 25? which; has a: rectangular? pushingzon the push button 1 44 .and thejestemz lll will beguided in the vertical slot zofjopening flii When the contactor assembly: is moved. to the: right 'or'1eft :from the-position shown in Fig:'-2;; therstem 40. slides in thehorizontal- 1 slot :in 1 the. opening: 42: and in. the slot 23 ';inthe :guideaplate 26;: Thus: it will be seen that the guideplate prevents rotation ofthe=-contactor assembly:- but:

permits unimpeded movement of the same in any of the four circuit closing directions.

The contactor 34 is releasably held in neutral position out of engagement with the fixed contacts It or in any circuit closing position with a concave edge 38 in engagement with a fixed con tact it by means of four equally spaced resilient pins 46 which extend vertically upwardly from a circular plate, 54 fixed in the bottom of the housing Ill. The plate 54 and four pins 455 are of conducting material and are connected to the line by means of a post 56 depending from the plate and extending through the bottom of the housing; liL A lead 53, connected to the line, is securedtothis post in the same manner as the four leads are connected to the fixed contacts L3;andgthusgthezplate 54 with the four pins 46 is rigidly secured in position in the housing It.

The four pins 46 are so located in plate 54 that their side edges will engage the apexes of the projectionsifi =wherrthelcontactor is in: neutral position, asnshowngin' Fig. 3, andlthe projections: 35-- extend. outwardly just. sufficiently so; that-ith'es pins willi'notibe stressed or deflected irom; their: normalivertical position in'the plate 54' whenitl'iei contactor; is in neutral position". As a result; the contactorriszfirmly' held in this apositionzbut' it can be movedby. exerting; a lateral fOICBFOIIT- the push button Mi; Upon movementoftlie; contacton: 342 from. the neutral. position" shown; in: Fig.2 3., torrthee. circuit" closing position: shown: ini phantom: in-v the same figure; the two, adjacent? upperrpins ASiriding'on-the opposite sidexproiece tions:35Ia-re:first deflected outwardly by the pro:- jections and;offer:increasingresistance to moves menttoi the-icontactor 'upgtothe point wherezthe: contactor; has: been moved far" enough: to bring opposite: concavesedges' 384 intoengagement with: the pinS'AiSi; Thereafter, uponfurther movement? of" thercontactor in; the same direction the 3 deflection .of the-pins. riding, on the concave: edges will diminish'so: that the: pins will;tend toi'holdi' thescontactor'in' engagement with v a: contact l8? andipreyent movement of the .contactor iniar die rection which would 'break the circuit;

Preferably, the projection of the-efixed. rcontactsl8: :intu:the-;h0using Hit-is such that thepontactor haste; be moved somewhat beyond" the point: where :thepins first engage the concave :edges1'38i' to bringrtheecontactor. into engagement with: the;

head of arfixedrcontact i8 and thus. CIOSGFOILE Of the circuitsmon-trolled' bvtheswitch and: in thisnewipositionatherpins 4%- project upwardly withoutidefiection. Uponmovement of thecontactor in larz'adirection: oppositeeto that des cribed above-to: break and established circuit, the two pins fits-en? gaging oppositeconcave edges 38 will be deflected by -these;=edgess-and will.- resist this "movement of: the:contactor:-until the contactor has :beengmoved far "3 enough tobring :cpposite convex projections: SGE'aga-in zinto lengagementwiththepins, atwhich pointuthe circuit-will be broken; The stress ex:- erted ifby. thettwoiupper pins on. the :COI'LVEXPIO-r jections;.3$:will.t force the;contactor back to neutral position whereiitwill be held asexplained.

Whenth'e. contractor is movedlateraliy iii-1 a" circuit closing: direction and the concave edgeatfl:

engages: withzthez, head; of..- its; associated fixed:-

the contactor is moved in each of the=direetionsz inzwhiclrthc -guide slots in-th'e slottedopening 42 allow it-to ice -moved."v

The form of the invention shown in Fig 5 is generally similar to the preferred embodiment just described, except for the means used to actuate the ccntactor. The switch shown in this figure is provided with a housing l0 comprising a generally cylindrical body l2 and a top cover piece 60 which is provided with peripheral threads so that the cover may be secured in the body by screwing the same therein, This body is provided with four equally spaced fixed contacts [8 similar to those previously described and the terminal leads 24 are connected to these contacts as previously described. A circular plate 54 in which the pins 46 are mounted is secured in the bottom of the housing ill by means of a post 56 to which a lead 58 from the line is connected in the manner explained for the corresponding parts of the embodiment previously described.

The ccntactor 34 is of the same configuration as the contactor used in the preferred form of switch except that its concave edges 53 are beveled as shown. It is provided with an actuating stem 62 which is secured in the central portion of the ccntactor. Intermediate its ends the stem 62 is pivotally secured upon a pin 64 extending diametrically of a slot formed between the meeting faces of a pair of semicylindrical members 55 which in assembled relation form a cylindrical journal for the stem 62 permitting the latter to be rocked in planes normal to each other. This journal is engaged in a cylindrical cavity formed in part in the bottom of cover 50 and in part in a retaining plug 68 engaged over the stem 52. and press fitted into a well in the bottom side of the top cover 59, so that the journal is free to rock in either direction on its axis and rocks the stern and'contactor through a limited are when it is so rocked. The slot through which the stem 62 projects extends axially of the cylindrical journal so that the stem is free to pivot upon the pin 64, as shown in phantom in Fig. 5, for engaging the contactcr 34 with certain of the fixed contacts l8. However, movement of the stem 62 and hence of the contact-or 3 is guided by four slots in the top cover arranged in a manner similar to the arrangement of the slots in the cover of the preferred form of switch.

The stem 52 is also provided with a spherical enlargement iii of insulating material on its free upper end so that this end may be grasped between the thumb and forefinger when the switch is to be Operated. Operation of this switch corresponds to the operation of the switch previously described except for the fact that the stem rocks with the journal or pivots on the pin 64 instead of sliding laterally so that the ccntactor is swung or rocked into engagement with the fixed contacts 98 in the manner shown in phantom in Fig, 5. The pins 45 and ccntactor 34 co-operate in the same manner as the corresponding parts of the switch previously described to close the various circuits controlled by the switch.

In Fig. 6 the principles of the invention are shown incorporated in a six-pole switch. In this form of the invention six equally spaced contacts I8 are fixedly secured in the side wall of the housing id, as shown, and are connected to terminal leads 2A in the various circuits controlled by the switch. The ccntactor locking means is provided with six resilient pins 45 instead of four, as in the previously described embodiments, and the ccntactor it is in the form of a disc which may be secured to the stem ifi of a push button as in the first embodiment. The top cover has six slots for guiding movement of the contactor stem or actuator and thus guiding the movement of the ccntactor.

The operation of this switch is similar to the operation of those previously described. When the ccntactor H5 is moved from the neutral position shown in full lines in Fig. 6 to the position shown in phantom, at which one circuit is closed, the adjacent pins it and 4% are first deflected outwardly as the ccntactor passes between them and they resist this movement, but when the contactor M has moved laterally far enough to engage one of the poles l3 0:" the switch, its center point will have passed beyond the pins 46, 46 so that they are only slightly deflected from their normal position, if at all. This deflection causes the pins to press on the ccntactor Hi and to hold it in firm engagement with the fixed contacts I 8 so that a force must be exerted on the ccntactor actuator to open any circuit once it has been closed.

The switch shown in Fig. 7 can be constructed in two different ways so that it can be used to control either four circuits, or eight circuits in which latter construction two circuits are simultaneously closed. As shown, the switch has eight contacts i3 fixed in the side wall of the housing iii and each or" these contacts is secured in position and connected to a terminal lead 78 in the manner previously described for the switch shown in l. to 3. When the switch is to be used to control fnur circuits, the ccntactor locking means comprising the resilient pins 46 and circular plate 55 form no part Of the circuit. Instead the two terminals of a circuit are connected to adjacent binding posts 28. For example, terminals i8 and '58 are connected to adjacent posts. When the ccntactor 34 is moved from the full line position shown in Fig. 7 to the position shown in phantom it bridges the two contacts to which the terminals 18 and 13 are connected so that one circuit is closed.

Various applications of the switches disclosed .erein should immediately suggest themselves and while preferred embodiments of the inven-' tion have been shown and described, it will be apparent that numerous variations and modifications may be made without departing from the underlying principles of the invention. I, therefore, desire by the following claims to include within the scope of the invention all such variations and modifications by which substantially the results or my invention may be obtained through the use of substantially the same or equivalent means.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a multiple pole switch, the combination comprising a housing, a series of contacts fixed in said housing, each of said contacts being connected to a, separate circuit, a. contactor in said housing movable in a plurality of directions from a neutral position directly to a position of engagement with any one of said contacts and vice versa for closing and opening the circuits connected to said contacts, a plurality of resilient pins in said housing, said pins being de-.

nected by said ccntactor when the latter is moved from neutral position to circuit closing position and vice versa, and said contactor being re-' 70 leasably locked in neutral or in any of said cireaist tem. o Qnfi-ni mo emen h reo t th ne tral osition to oircu-itolosing position and vice versa, and said contactor being releasabl-y lqclgedin neutral or in any of said circuit closing positions by the resistance of said pins to deflection, a-stern .secured to said contactor and slidable laterally with respect to said housingfor movingsaidcontactorinto and out of engagement ,with said fixed contacts, apush button on saidrstem for manual operation thereof and guide means surrounding ,said steinfor confining movement thereof to the proper directions for moving saidcontactor into and out ofengagement with the-fixed contacts.

3.,Ina multiple pole switch, the combination compriSi -lg. a, housing, a series of contacts fixed in said housing, each 01 said contacts being connectedtoa separatecircuit, acontactor in said housingmovable in a plurality of directions from aneutral positionidirectlyto a position of engagement with any one of said contacts and vice vorsaforclosingand opening the circuits.confifiiqdd to. said contactsa plurality of resilient pins i .saidhousing, said, pins being deflected by said ccntaotor when thelatter is moved from nfilltral itio t rc i losin p si on. a vice versa and, said contactor being releasably locked in neutral or in any of said circuitclosing positions by theresistance of said pinsto deflection, a stern fi xed at one end to said contactor and secured intermediate its ends for pivotal and lQCklllgJIlQVElllElili.Wlth respect to the housing, tha free end of said stem'being disposed'f or manual operation, and guide means surrounding said stern for confining movement thereof to the proper directions "for moving said contactor into andqnt of engagement with said'fixed contacts.

4. In a multiple pole-switch, the combination comprising a housing, a series of contacts fixed in said *hous-in g, each of said'contacts being connectedto a circuit-and adjacent contacts being connected to the same circuit-inpairs, a contactormovablein apluralityof directions to a position of engagement with any one ofsaid pairs of contacts connected t0 the same circuit and nee o ing eac o sa co ta in connected to a separate circuit, a contactor movable in a plurality, of directions to a position of engagement with two adjacent contacts and vice yersa.-.f r clos ng and openin the two circuits co ecte i ha nsase ir.- Qf- Ill% 2t ap l .ilient p n .in ai heus ea:saidpin being deflected, by saidcontactor: whenthe flatter is moved fromneutral position to circuit. -clesing positions and vice versa and said; contactorbeing releasably locked in'neutral or inany.of ..,said circuit closing positionsby the resistanceof said pins to deflection.

6. In a multiple pole switch, the combination comprising'a housing, a series of contactsdixad in said housing, each of said contacts beingcennected to a separate circuit, a contactor in-said housing having biased convex projections equally spaced by concave connecting edges, said eontactor being laterally movable in a=;.plurality. of directions from a neutral position directly zto positions for engaging any one of saidconcavaedges with the-fixed contact oppositely disposed theneto and vice, versa-for closing and opening the circuit connected to said contacts, means for moving sa id -contactor-.and a plurality of pinspositioned in said housingto engage said convex-projections when said contactor is in neutral position, ppposedpairs of said pins being defiectedefrom their normal position by said contactor during initial movement of the same between neutral and circuit closing positions and vice versa,,;said contactor being releasably lockeddnpeutralqor in any of said circuit closing positions byzthe re sistance of said pins to deflection.

7.111; a -mu-ltiple pole switch, the combination comprising a housing, a series of contacts fixed in said housing, each of said contactsbeingfiqnnected to a separate circuit, a contactor insaid housing movable in a plurality of directions from a. neutral position directly to a position of ,engagement with any one of said contacts and vice versa for closing and opening the circuits connected to the. engaged contact, a plurality of=resilient pins in said housing engaging said-con tactor .and deflected thereby during movements of the contactor from neutral to circuit closing positions and vice versa, said contactor beingre leasably locked in neutral or in any of saidcircuit closing positions by the resistance of said pins to deflection, said pins and contactor form ing part of the circuit through which current flow is conducted between one endof the lineandth'e circuits connected to said fixed contacts.

8. In a switch, a body, plurality of fixed contacts each adapted to be connected to a circuit, a contact member movable selectively into cooperative engagement with said fixed contacts, a. plurality of. cam faces associated with said contact member, resilient means fixed relative to said body adjacent one end and disposed to engage certain of said cam faces adjacent the opposite ends yieldingly to hold said contactmember in open position, said opposite end of said resilient means engaging other of said cam faces when said contact member is moved to cooperativeengagement with said fixed contacts for yieldingly holding the said member in said position.

9. In a switch, a body, a plurality of fixed contacts each adapted ,to be connected toa circnit, a: contact member movable selectively into cooperative engagement with said fixed contacts and means for yieldingly holding said contact memher in. open position or in cooperative engage ment with said fixed contacts including agplurality of cam faces and a plurality of resilient means fixed adjacent one end and having their opposite ends disposed in the plane of saidcam faces, said resilient means cooperating..- with oer-- tain of .said cam;faces to hold said contact mem be q nr si nan w t ethe 9 1 3,!

faces to hold said contact member in cooperative engagement with said fixed contact.

10. In a switch, a body, a, plurality of fixed contacts each adapted to be connected to a circuit, a contact member movable selectively to cooperative engagement with said fixed contacts, a plurality of cam faces formed on said contact member, resilient means fixed relative to said body member adjacent one end and disposed to engage certain of said cam faces adjacent the opposite end yieldingly to hold said contact member in open position, said opposite end of said resilient means engaging other of said cam faces when said contact member is moved to cooperative engagement with said fixed contacts for REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,426,193 Holmbren Aug. 15, 1922 1,829,037 Bobrofi Oct. 27, 1931 2,277,350 Kight Dec. 31, 1940 

